Special Education Mealtime Therapist

Charles County Public Schools•La Plata, MD

About The Position

Works with school staff as designated by the Coordinator of Speech Language Services, OT Team Leader, and/or the Director of Special Education to ensure safety and improved independence regarding mealtime skills. Collaborates with teachers to meet the needs of students with disabilities regarding mealtime skills. Works with students with disabilities in instructional settings when appropriate. Uses technology to gather and organize data to monitor the mealtime skills of students with disabilities or medically based needs. Designs and implements staff development that aligns with best practices in feeding and dysphagia services. Develops and implements parent training and resources. Collaborates with school-based staff regarding students’ skills and needs in relation to mealtime skills. Collaborates with system staff regarding Central Mealtime Team practices and individual mealtime needs of students. Ability to communicate with other medical professionals within the school system and outside of the school system to support student needs, gather needed information, and provide necessary input from the classroom perspective. Maintain knowledge and information regarding USDA, USDOE, MSDE, and MDDHMH guidelines/regulations as it pertains to feeding and dysphagia in the schools. Attends IEP meetings as necessary. Perform screenings and observations, including writing reports related to screenings and observations. Development, monitoring, and revising of Mealtime Plans of Care with input from school-based staff. Maintain data regarding types of individuals and types of supports provided throughout the school system that is to be shared with the Director of Special Education. Maintenance and revision of procedural guidelines for Central Mealtime Team practices. Participates in job-related professional development opportunities. Training Food Services personnel on mechanically modifying foods to align with doctor-ordered textures. Providing documentation and purchasing information for needed equipment: immersion blenders and adapted feeding equipment. Provide training to assist parents, staff, and/or students for improving mealtime skills and independence through in-person consultation/coaching, video consultation/coaching, videos, and other resources, etc. Other duties as assigned by the Coordinator of Speech Language Services and/or the Director of Special Education.

Requirements

Master's degree preferred.
Certificate of Clinical Competency and/or Maryland Licensure for SLP.
Minimum of five (5) years of successful feeding or dysphagia experience.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related leadership role.
Knowledge and experience with current feeding and swallowing best practices in the schools.
Knowledge and training on providing coaching and guidance for classroom staff to implement safe feeding practices.
Evidence of appropriate implementation of the IEP to include IEP formation, monitoring of implementation, and reporting of student progress.
Evidence of leadership qualities to include effective communication and human relations skills.
Ability to plan and implement professional development and/or training for school-based staff and parents regarding mealtime skills.
Ability to communicate with other medical professionals within the school system and outside of the school system.
Knowledge of Food Services guidelines for diet modification.
Knowledge of texture modification descriptions and how to modify foods mechanically.
CPR certified.

Responsibilities

Works with school staff as designated by the Coordinator of Speech Language Services, OT Team Leader, and/or the Director of Special Education to ensure safety and improved independence regarding mealtime skills.
Collaborates with teachers to meet the needs of students with disabilities regarding mealtime skills.
Works with students with disabilities in instructional settings when appropriate.
Uses technology to gather and organize data to monitor the mealtime skills of students with disabilities or medically based needs.
Designs and implements staff development that aligns with best practices in feeding and dysphagia services.
Develops and implements parent training and resources.
Collaborates with school-based staff regarding students’ skills and needs in relation to mealtime skills.
Collaborates with system staff regarding Central Mealtime Team practices and individual mealtime needs of students.
Ability to communicate with other medical professionals within the school system and outside of the school system to support student needs, gather needed information, and provide necessary input from the classroom perspective.
Maintain knowledge and information regarding USDA, USDOE, MSDE, and MDDHMH guidelines/regulations as it pertains to feeding and dysphagia in the schools.
Attends IEP meetings as necessary.
Perform screenings and observations, including writing reports related to screenings and observations.
Development, monitoring, and revising of Mealtime Plans of Care with input from school-based staff.
Maintain data regarding types of individuals and types of supports provided throughout the school system that is to be shared with the Director of Special Education.
Maintenance and revision of procedural guidelines for Central Mealtime Team practices.
Participates in job-related professional development opportunities.
Training Food Services personnel on mechanically modifying foods to align with doctor-ordered textures.
Providing documentation and purchasing information for needed equipment: immersion blenders and adapted feeding equipment.
Provide training to assist parents, staff, and/or students for improving mealtime skills and independence through in-person consultation/coaching, video consultation/coaching, videos, and other resources, etc.
Other duties as assigned by the Coordinator of Speech Language Services and/or the Director of Special Education.